Darker Chapter 2 (Part 1)
Friday, June 10, 2011
When the original Fifty Shades trilogy came out, it was widely known that people felt that we didn’t get enough scenes of Christian doing business. Because we were in Ana’s POV, it wasn’t possible to satisfy our corporate cravings. Thankfully, we have Darker now.
But first, Christian must start his day like everyone successful businessman: by stalking his girlfriend.
I had a huge misunderstanding with this book based on the way my Kindle has split the pages:
SO HE ADMITS IT!
NOOOOOO!!! He’s still running by her building to check on it! Just because he’s not lingering does not change the facts.
I dash past Ana’s building, and I don’t have to stop. I’ll see her later today. All of her.
Yup. Definitely still a stalker.
Feeling particularly pleased with my self, I wonder if perhaps we’ll end up here tonight.
God, his bar is depressingly low.
Now that Christian is at work, the fun can really begin.
She perches on the chair opposite me, looking nervous. “Do you remember I’m not here this afternoon and I’m not in on Monday?”
I stare at her, completely blank. What the hell? I don’t remember this. I hate it when she’s not here.
Fucking hell. When I was reading Fifty Shades Darker, I had always suspected that Christian’s secretary had not only an afternoon off, but ALSO MONDAY. At the time there just wasn’t enough evidence to support my theory, but gosh darn it, I was right all along!
Now all I need to know is whether or not she has someone to cover for her!
“Yes. HR is sending someone from another department. Her name is Montana Brooks.”
Scribbles notes furiously this is great, just great stuff. No doubt Montana Brooks will be an important character we hear about again.
“Did you find someone to replace Senator Blandino’s daughter?”
“Yes, sir. Her name is Sarah Hunter. She starts on Tuesday when I’m back.”
“Good.”
Okay, seriously, who the fuck are these people?
Then we sit in on a bunch of meetings with Christian, and his staff are…weirdly involved with his life?
“I’m glad you’re back with us,” she says.
“What do you mean?”
“You know what I mean.” She gets up and gathers her papers.
“You’ve been absent, Christian.” Her eyes narrow.
“I was here.”
“No, you weren’t. But I’m glad you’re back and focused, and you seem happier.” She gives me a broad smile and heads for the door.
[…]
She leaves, and I’m left wondering how the rest of my staff will react to me today.
Firstly, I’m not going to bother telling you this employee is because I promise you it doesn’t matter. Secondly, it’s been pretty clear for both of Christian’s POV books that he hates people, so I just don’t think he would actually wonder how the rest of his staff would react to him. Somehow a book told from Christian’s POV seems out of character for Christian.
He also annoys his staff members because he can’t wait until their meetings are finished to email Ana:
Fuck. Not now, Grey.
My eyes meet Ros’s, and I sense her disapproval.
“Urgent response required,” I tell her. She shares a look with Marco.
Christian is the worst. He would almost definitely murder a member of his staff who did this. And he only texts Ana back that he’s doing boring things at work. IT COULD HAVE WAITED!
Later, Ana emails Christian to tell him what the plan is for the night.
We are going to a bar called Fifty’s.
The rich seam of humor that I could mine from this is endless.
I promise you this is untrue. There is one joke, and it is not a good one.
Christian’s reaction is fantastic:
Is this a reference to fifty shades?
Weird. Is she making fun of me?
Aren’t we all?
Christian meets Ana at the bar, has his pissing contest with Jack Hyde, and he takes Ana back to her apartment. On the ride there, he reveals that he’s purchased SIP and can’t fucking believe that Ana is angry about this.
She glances nervously at Taylor, then glares at me, her expression full of recrimination. And I want to admonish her for her foul mouth and for overreacting.
Yup. You read that right. If anything, I’d argue she is severely under reacting because she inexplicably brings him back to her apartment despite this.